If you’d like a small explanation as to why the giant chasm of time since I last posted… well, I suppose life happened. I was still going through health issues – very autoimmune-disease-like health issues, involving some intense inflammation and such – as well as a bit of relationship and work changes, which didn’t really leave me much time for focusing on the blog. Most of that seems to be quieting down for now, so here I am!

You still wanted that recipe for Plantain Tortillas, right??

Anyway, I’ve missed it… and I still want to attempt to post here from time to time! I really love sharing recipes and health information with people, and it’s important to me to be able to do that. If you’re reading this, feeling a bit like I’ve been a real fair-weather friend here for the last year, please feel free to reach out to me! There is a contact page here for ya.

Even though I made the recipe up from scratch, somehow, I still couldn’t tell they weren’t chocolate.

Not chocolate? Whoever heard of a brownie that wasn’t made with chocolate? Not me, at least, until very recently, when I decided to try giving it up. Not exactly my idea of fun!

Chocolate didn’t get the boot because of Lent, or because it’s inherently, sinfully, bad for me (like the mayor in one of my favorite movies, Chocolat would think,) but simply because it is a bean. A seed, really. But, for the sake of my wellbeing, that was enough of a reason.

However. That was NOT enough of a reason not to have fudgey brownies. We all got to have a little sanity, people, and this stuff does it for me!

While trying, as much as possible, to stick to the Autoimmune Protocol as I’m still unsure of the origins of my current inflammation issues, I’m opening up to trying even more ingredients than ever before! It has been a tasty adventure so far, my friend. (Check these AIP-friendly recipes out…)

So now I’ve been finding some thrilling uses for carob powder. First step, carob powder, all-people-friendly, delicious brownies… next step, ruling the world? Or maybe just another recipe using fun, new ingredients!

It’s summer. It’s hot enough to melt your popsicle. And it’s time to do something about it.

Inspired by the fact that I now use my porch in lieu of a microwave for defrosting things, I think there is an excellent chance that these insanely good-looking desserts will totally fly in (or out of) your kitchen.

Personally? I can’t wait to try #1 and #26… special mentions to – er – all of them!

My super supportive group of veggie-based chicas (and holla to the couple of chicos!) over at the Finding Vegan Facebook group has leapt to my call for healthy frozen desserts, so that I could wow you with their talents and save you, deliciously, from the heat. Remember when they helped me with this other dessert roundup? Classic!

What does the end of the weekend, a long, stressful day, and having numerous random body aches have in common? That’s right. It means a detox is in order!

Now, detoxes and voodoo magic are commonly believed to be the same thing but, in general, this is not the case. If you break down the word “de-tox” we have something that just means, “to remove the toxins.”

Sometimes, yes, detoxes can be murky, if not really nutrient-dense, juice cleanses full of beetroot, celery and cayenne pepper (hold the eye of newt)... and sometimes they’re more of the whole-natural-no-bs-food approach. In this case, we’re basically just getting in a bunch of healthy stuff that will help us get rid of the bad stuff.

I intentionally made this bisque only out of ingredients I thought would be super beneficial for the purpose of cleansing. After all, what good is a recipe that re-toxes while it de-toxes? Hence, our lineup for today:

Zucchini: full of cleansing water and fiber, as well as potassium and b-vitamins

Garlic & onion: contain sulfur compounds known to help prevent cancer, and have antibacterial properties.

Coconut oil: the medium chain fatty acids it contains are great brain food. One of these, lauric acid, helps boost the immune system.

Greens: besides fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost your energy and immune system, greens contain chlorophyll, which rids the body of all kinds of toxins!

Coconut milk: high in vitamins and minerals, and a great substitute for any dairy product when detoxing or reducing inflammation

Bone broth (if using): rich in protein, minerals, collagen, glucosamine & chondroitin, all of which are easily absorbed by the body and can aid gut health, joint health, immune health, and fight inflammation

Altogether this makes a tasty (yes, vegetable-y, but flavorful) concoction, and it’s a great start – or middle, or end – to a serious detox day! Make extras to freeze, and you’ll be ready for anything!

FitCakes

My name is Courtney, and I write healthy recipes, fitness tips, and provide personal training options as well!

My new cookbook is on Amazon.com for presale! Click this link to get your copy & support FitCakes!

The journal of a girl with a lifelong mission for good food, good health, and good times. Read on as she dives with reckless abandon into the thick of life and discovers the art of cuisine, fitness, and living.